“I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” John 6:48-51
My Summary & Reflection
Jesus compares himself to the bread of life. He notes that the ancestors of those listening to him teach ate manna, but are now dead. Jesus compares himself with a bread that can provide eternal life. He calls himself a living bread which came down from heaven that if any man consumes this bread, that man will live forever. He explains that the bread that he will give is his own body, which he will sacrifice for the life of everyone in the world.
Jesus makes reference to Jewish history where it is recorded that God provided the Israelites with manna or bread from heaven during their long journey out of Egypt. Although the manna was able to sustain their ancestors during their wanderings, it did not sustain them forever. Jesus tells the people that God has given them bread again. But this time God has provided a living bread that when they take it in and it becomes a part of them, will sustain them forever. This living bread will provide them with eternal life. Jesus explains further that he is the living bread and will sacrifice himself for their lives and the lives of everyone in the world.
While making this comparison with the miracle of the manna, Jesus makes a distinction that as the manna was provided for the benefit of the Israelites on their journey, this new miracle is for the benefit of everyone in the world. The scope of the miracle that he is describing is more expansive and encompasses not just the Israelites, but everyone who is willing to receive it.
Jesus further explains how this living bread is to be received. By comparing himself with the living bread, Jesus is noting that as with any food, there is a requirement that a person eat or take in the nourishment before they receive any benefit. In the same way, Jesus’ sacrifice of his body only benefits someone who has taken in the message of Jesus’ teachings and incorporated them into their lives. It was Jesus, when he was tempted in the desert during his fast that said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 By incorporating this living bread into our lives, each of us receives the benefit of Jesus’ sacrifice, which is eternal life.
Your Reflection
- Are you willing to receive the benefit of Jesus’ sacrifice for yourself?
- How do you incorporate Jesus’ teachings into your life?